Master the Art of Creating Engaging Pre-Launch Pages in WordPress
Are you interested in creating a visually appealing pre-launch page for your WordPress website? A pre-launch page can be a powerful tool to generate excitement, build anticipation, and capture leads before your website goes live. In this comprehensive guide, we will take you through the process of crafting captivating pre-launch pages in WordPress that will leave a lasting impression.
Unleashing the Potential of Pre-Launch Pages
Pre-launch pages are more than just temporary placeholders. They have the potential to engage your audience and serve as effective lead generation tools for your business. Here’s how you can make the most out of your pre-launch pages:
Build Anticipation: Create a well-designed pre-launch page to generate buzz and excitement around your upcoming website launch.
Capture Leads: Use your pre-launch page as an opportunity to collect leads and grow your email list before your website is fully operational.
Establish Brand Awareness: A visually appealing pre-launch page can help you establish and strengthen brand awareness even before your website is officially launched.
Getting Started: Securing a Domain Name and WordPress Hosting
Before diving into the creation of your pre-launch page, you’ll need to acquire a domain name and choose a reliable WordPress hosting provider. While domain names typically cost around $16 per year, hosting plans start at $7.88 per month (usually billed annually).
If you’re looking for an affordable option, Bluehost offers a special deal for WPBeginner readers, including a free domain name and hosting for as low as $2.75 per month.
Once you’ve signed up for a hosting account, Bluehost will automatically install WordPress for you. From there, you can log into your WordPress account dashboard and begin the process of creating your pre-launch page and website.
If you prefer to use other hosting providers such as Hostinger, SiteGround, or WP Engine, the installation process is similar. For a more detailed walkthrough, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to install WordPress.
Creating Stunning Pre-Launch Pages with SeedProd
Thanks to the SeedProd plugin, creating visually striking pre-launch pages in WordPress has never been easier. SeedProd is the leading landing page builder on the market, equipped with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that allows you to create professional and captivating pages without any coding knowledge.
With over 180 ready-made page templates and 90 blocks, you can effortlessly construct a variety of visually stunning page layouts.
Please note that while SeedProd offers a free version that allows for custom page designs regardless of your budget, we will be utilizing the Pro version for this guide. The Pro version supports all major email marketing services, enabling you to collect leads and build your mailing list before your website is officially launched.
Step 1: Installing and Activating the SeedProd Plugin
To begin, install and activate the SeedProd plugin on your WordPress site. For detailed instructions, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Once activated, go to SeedProd » Settings and enter your license key. You can find the license key in your SeedProd account. Click the ‘Verify Key’ button to proceed.
Step 2: Selecting a Template for Your Pre-Launch Page
After completing the initial setup, go to SeedProd » Landing Pages and click on ‘Set up a Coming Soon Page’ in the ‘Coming Soon Mode’ section. You will then gain access to a collection of templates specifically designed for pre-launch pages. Preview and choose a template that catches your eye by clicking on the magnifying glass icon. Once you’ve selected a template, click ‘Choose This Template’ to proceed.
Note: While we’ll be using the ‘Launch Coming Soon’ template in our examples, feel free to select any design that aligns with your preferences.
Step 3: Customizing Your Pre-Launch Page
Once you’ve selected a template, you’ll be redirected to the SeedProd drag-and-drop builder. On the right side of your screen, you’ll find a live preview of your page. To customize any block, simply click on it.
The left-hand menu offers a variety of customization settings for each block. You can also add new blocks to your pre-launch page, such as a countdown timer to let visitors know how much longer they’ll have to wait until your site launches.
Step 4: Connecting Your Email Marketing Service
A pre-launch page is an excellent opportunity to collect leads and expand your email list before your website goes live. SeedProd seamlessly integrates with popular email service providers like ActiveCampaign, ConvertKit, and Drip.
To connect your preferred email marketing service, go to the ‘Connect’ tab in SeedProd settings. Click the ‘Connect’ button next to your chosen service, whether it’s Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) or MailChimp.
Follow the prompts to provide the necessary credentials for your email marketing service. Once connected, you can choose the specific email list you wish to use in conjunction with your pre-launch page, allowing you to start collecting leads before your website is officially launched.
Step 5: Publishing Your Pre-Launch Page
Ready to showcase your masterpiece? Click the ‘Save’ button, then select ‘Save as Template’ and give your template a name. Finally, click ‘Save Template’ to confirm your changes.
In the subsequent popup, choose ‘Return to Page Editor’ and click the ‘X’ button in the upper-right corner to exit the SeedProd page editor.
When prompted, click ‘Yes, Activate’ if you’re ready to activate your pre-launch design and enable the pre-launch mode for your site. If you prefer not to activate the pre-launch mode just yet, click ‘No, Close.’
To display your pre-launch page to visitors, go to SeedProd » Pages and toggle the switch in the ‘Coming Soon Mode’ section to ‘Active.’ While your website is in pre-launch mode, you can continue making adjustments from your WordPress dashboard. However, logged-out users and visitors will only see the pre-launch page.
Advanced Settings: Maximizing Your Pre-Launch Page’s Potential
SeedProd offers advanced settings to help you collect leads, foster customer loyalty, and amplify brand awareness. To access these settings, go to SeedProd » Landing Pages and click on the ‘Edit Page’ button under the ‘Coming Soon Mode’ box. This will open the SeedProd page builder.
Click on ‘Page Settings’ to explore the array of advanced features at your disposal. Here are a few options to consider:
Restrict and Grant Access Based on User Role
Take control over who can access your site during the pre-launch phase by utilizing WordPress’ user roles and permissions system. Scroll to ‘Access Control’ and click on ‘Add Role.’ From there, you can select the user roles you want to grant access to or whitelist specific IP addresses.
Enhance Your Pre-Launch Page’s SEO
Boost your WordPress SEO by utilizing the features within the ‘SEO’ tab. Provide an SEO title, description, favicon, and featured image for your pre-launch page. You can also choose to prevent search engines from indexing the page until it’s officially launched.
Track Your Website Visitors
Make use of the ‘Scripts’ tab to incorporate third-party tracking scripts like Google Analytics or Meta pixel. This will allow you to gain insights into your website visitors and collect valuable information.
Ready to Launch Your Website?
Once you’ve customized your pre-launch page and are ready to launch your website, deactivating the pre-launch mode is simple. Go to SeedProd » Landing Pages and toggle the switch next to your pre-launch page to ‘Inactive.’
With the pre-launch mode disabled, visitors will be able to access your full website while you continue managing and enhancing it from your WordPress dashboard.
Conclusion: Create Engaging Pre-Launch Pages with Ease
With the help of the SeedProd plugin, creating stunning pre-launch pages in WordPress is a straightforward process. By following the step-by-step instructions in this guide, you can effectively build anticipation, capture leads, and establish brand awareness before your website officially launches.
